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Administration |
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Laura
Ellington
Founder and Director
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Laura was born in Switzerland, grew up in England, then moved to the US, where she completed her BA in English Literature with a minor in teaching Spanish as a Second Language, at Skidmore College. She has RSA/CELTA Teaching Certification from Cambridge University, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in English-Spanish translation and linguistics from the Universidad Internacional de las Américas, Costa Rica. Her MA is in Cultural Anthropology, from the City University of New York. Before settling in Costa Rica, Laura lived and worked in the US, Nepal, Indonesia and France. She has been a guest speaker at the National University, and participated in numerous conferences on Second Language Acquisition and Cross-Cultural Identity and Education, in Costa Rica and abroad. She speaks Spanish, English, French and German. In her free time she enjoys reading, yoga, Latin dance, biking and swimming at Sámara's beautiful beach.
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Adelita
Jiménez
Founder
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Adelita is a native
Costa Rican. She co-founded the
school after working for several
years as Spanish professor and later
as administrative director in a
San José language school.
After her original degree in education,
she went on to study business with
an emphasis in public relations
at the Universidad Interamericana
in Heredia. She has attended numerous
seminars in the area of business
administration and second language
acquisition.
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Paola
Hernández
Student Services
Coordinator
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Paola
is Costa Rican, and a graduate of the
American Business Academy. She worked
as an Executive Secretary for several
years, and had her own business in San
José. Subsequently, she and a
partner took over the administration
of a French restaurant in Heredia, where
she spent five years meeting and interacting
with people from all around the world.
From this experience she became interested
in tourism and began working with a
French-Costa Rican tour company in sales
& operations. After several years
of sending others to the most beautiful
places in Costa Rica, she decided to
go to one herself...which is how she
came to live in Sámara and work
with Intercultura Language & Cultural
Center in 2006! She enjoys the outdoors,
sports and the beach. |
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Lucie
Angers
Student Advisor
and Marketing
Coordinator
 
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Lucie is originally from Quebec City, Canada, where she studied Education before changing career paths to found her own import-export company, where she learned the ins and outs of marketing and international business practices. During this time she travelled extensively North America, Asia and Latin America, and developed a love of different cultures and countries which eventually led her to Costa Rica in 2005. Lucie came to Intercultura first as a student, began working in our non-profit educational program, and then started teaching French after completing her Teaching Certification with CR TEFL. In 2008 Lucie became part of our core administrative team, as Student Advisor and Marketing Coordinator, where her business and language skills are put to good use, as is her caring and competent personality! Her hobbies include horseback-riding, surfing, writing, and dancing. She speaks fluent French, English and Spanish, and basic Indonesian, and has been an invited speaker. |
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Estefanía Vargas Castro
Customer Services
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Estefanía grew up in the Sámara area, and now lives in Sámara center close to her family. She studied International Relations at the University in San José, and before joining Intercultura helped run her family's restaurant in Sámara, well known for its excellent food! In her free time, Estefanía enjoys learning languages, spending time with her young son, cooking, socializing and biking. She loves interacting with the students at Intercultura and learning about their many different cultures, and is currently studying Advanced English at the school.
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Nancy Billen
Accounting &
Orientation
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Nancy was born and raised in Belgium, where she attended university and obtained her Certification in Administration and Accounting and her BA in Photography. Her previous jobs include teaching English for a volunteer organization, working as an administrative consultant, and managing a hotel. She has worked and travelled in Thailand, New York and Panamá, and moved to Sámara in 2006. At Intercultura, she manages accounting and assists in Group and New Student Orientation. She enjoys surfing, walking on the beach, photography, and meeting people from different cultures. She speaks fluent Dutch, English and Spanish, and some French.
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Yvonne is German, of Polish origin. She went to school and university in Germany, and has a degree in Economics. After working in Germany, she moved to Holland, where she worked as a financial Analyst for an American company. Yvonne is a very open-minded person who enjoys communicating with people from different cultures, and she decided to go to Costa Rica in order to learn the Spanish language and experience Costa Rican culture. In her free time she likes skating, winter sports, swimming and reading, and now surfing and dancing salsa. Yvonne speaks German, Polish, English and Dutch, and is perfecting her Spanish at Intercultura!
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Marcelo
Arroyo
Academic Director
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Marcelo
is a Costa Rica native and has worked
with the school since 1994, first
as a Spanish professor and now as
the department head and the school's
executive director. He is in charge
of teacher training and organizing
Intercultura's ongoing professional
development series. He has a BA and
Licenciatura in Literature, Linguistics
and Education from the Universidad
Nacional Autónoma de Costa
Rica, where he went on to obtain a
MEd. in Education. He then went on
to obtain a second Master's in Teaching
Spanish as a Second Language from
the same university. He has also completed
coursework towards a PhD in linguistics,
specializing in Central American Spanish
dialects and Mayan and Chibcha indigenous
languages. He has been a speaker at
numerous conferences, nationally and
internationally, has lectured for
the Masters in Teaching Spanish as
a Foreign Language at the Universidad
Nacional and is the co-author of the
Intercultura Spanish textbooks. In
addition, Marcelo organizes Intercultura's
Cultural Events Calendar, and is himself
a performer of National Folkloric
Dance and Music. He speaks fluent
English. |
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Julio
López
Professor and
Coordinator
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Julio
is a native of San José,
where he obtained his BA in Spanish
Philology from the University
of Costa Rica. He subsequently
entered the National University
of Costa Rica, where he obtained
his Post-Graduate Certificate
in Literature and Linguistics,
with emphasis in literature. He
worked as an assistant professor
at the University of Costa Rica,
and participated in the development
of several literature projects.
His experience as a teacher of
foreign language started in 1998,
and he has since worked for language
schools in San José, Heredia
and Alajuela, as well as in Boulder,
Colorado. In the US, he developed
Spanish programs as a second language
(SSP) in two primary schools,
University Hill and Colombine
Elementary School.
Julio is a very extroverted, warm
and kind person. He is very passionate
about soccer, loves to dance,
run, play ping pong, take walks
in the mountains , travel, and
sports in general. His favorite
hobbies are reading and cooking.
He is currently studying French
at Intercultura
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María Fernanda Gálvez
Head Spanish Professor
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María Fernanda,
originally from Colombia, has been
in Costa Rica since 2001 and with
Intercultura´s Sámara
Campus since 2003. She graduated
in Social Communications and Journalism,
and went on to receive a Licenciatura
in Communications and Education,
with emphasis in Spanish. In Colombia,
she focused her teaching career
on environmental and social development
projects for at-risk children. At
Intercultura, in addition to teaching
Spanish, she gives lectures on Colombia's
social and political situation,
and on sustainable development in
Costa Rica.
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Ilsen Pérez
Spanish Professor
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Ilsen is a native of Costa Rica, and joined Intercultura's Sámara Campus in early 2004 as a Spanish Professor. Her undergraduate degree is from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica in Education, with teaching certification in Spanish and English. She currently assists in Student Services and teaches part-time. She speaks fluent English and is continuing her ESL studies at Intercultura. |
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Nelsy Rodríguez Spanish Professor
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Nelsy is Costa Rican and a Guanacaste native. She completed her Bachelor's degree is in Spanish Education at the San Jose University in 2007 and began working at Intercultura the same year. In 2009 she obtained her post-graduate degree (Licenciatura) in Spanish, also from the University of San José. In her free time, Nelsy enjoys traditional dance, and has performed with an international folkloric dance group. She likes going to the beach, biking, and spending time with her husband, friends and family. |
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nNelson Jiménezn Spanish Professor
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Nelson is a native of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, where he completed his education and received his Bachelor's degree from the National University in Nicoya in Education, with emphasis in Second Language Acquisition. Nelson studied English as part of his studies, but as a native Spanish speaker is particularly interested in his Costa Rican roots, and enjoys teaching students at Intercultura about the language and culture of Costa Rica and particularly Guanacaste, a region rich in cultural heritage. In his free time, he likes to read, play soccer, and swim. Nelson has been working at Intercultura since June of 2007. |
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Ruth Mora
Spanish Professor
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Ruth is a native of Sámara, Guanacaste. She joined Intercultura in 2008 after finishing her Profesorado in Education at the National University. Her BA is in Education with a mention in Second Language Acquisition. Ruth enjoys the beach, playing football, reading, and most of all playing guitar. She speaks English, and enjoys sharing with people and having friends from around the world. |
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Gladys Hernando
Spanish Professor
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Gladys is of Spanish origin, lived in Switzerland and then moved to France for a year before settling in Costa Rica. She studied languages and obtained her BA in Switzerland in Education and Tourism. In addition to Spanish, she speaks German, French, Italian and English. Gladys began working at Intercultura's Sámara campus at the beginning of 2007 teaching Spanish, and has also collaborated in teacher training for Costa Rica TEFL's Teacher Certification course. Gladys is by nature a very happy, open and patient person, and she enjoys teaching, communicating with her students and getting to know their different cultures. In her free time she likes to surf, read, and dance salsa. |
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Carmen Gauna
Spanish Professor
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Carmen lives in Sámara and joined Intercultura in 2004 as a Spanish professor. Her BA is in Education and Second Language Acquisition from the National University in Nicoya. She speaks fluent English, and has participated in numerous training seminars in English and Spanish as a Second Language. In her free time, Carmen enjoys being a mother, family life, reading and the beach. |
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Virgina Angulo
Spanish Professor
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Virginia is originally from San José, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Literature and Language Sciences at the National University, followed by a Licenciatura in the same field. She lived for some years in the US, where she obtained her Masters in Applied Linguistics with emphasis on Second Language Acquisition from Southern Illinois University, and subsequently taught Spanish for the foreign languages department. When she moved back to Costa Rica, she taught Spanish at the National University in Heredia, where she later became the coordinator for the Literature, Language Sciences and English Departments. She was the director of the Scholarship Fund and presented at numerous conferences with the Ministry of Education. She has published articles, texts and audio-visual materials for the teaching of children, adolescents and adults. In her free time, Virginia likes walking on the beach with her dog, fishing and enjoying life in Sámara. |
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Virgina Barbiero
Spanish Professor
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Virginia is originally from Argentina and has been living in Samara Beach, Costa Rica since 2007. She studied languages in Argentina, receiving her undergraduate degree in English-Spanish translation. She also speaks some French and Portuguese. Before studying to be a teacher, she worked as a bilingual MD assistant and as the manager of a hotel. While working at the Intercultura’s Samara Campus she has developed her passion for languages and for teaching Spanish, where her students love learning thanks to her patient, fun and friendly personality! In her free time, she enjoys surfing, yoga, reading, dancing, making jewelry and walking on the beach.Her dream is to travel around the world on a sailboat. |
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Victor
Estevanovich
Spanish Professor
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Victor is a native Costa Rican who has dedicated himself to teaching Spanish and Latin culture for over 25 years. His undergraduate studies are in Spanish philology and social sciences, completed at the National University and the Universidad de Costa Rica. He began as a professor and teacher-trainer at Intercultura in 2001, and became the Spanish Department Head at the Sámara Campus in 2003. Prior to joining us, he worked with the Peace Corps, universities and language schools in Costa Rica, the US and Japan. He also speaks English and Japanese.
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Department of Foreign Languages
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Natalie Colvin
ESL Professor & Accounting
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Natalie Colvin, originally from Portland, Oregon, spent a lot of time traveling before finding her home in Sámara in 2008. She received a B.A from the University of Arizona with majors in Latin American Culture, Economy & Language and Anthropology. During her studies she concentrated on how tourism affects community development, the environment, and social relations. Before becoming a part of the Intercultura family, where she teaches English and works in accounting, Natalie worked as a beginner surf instructor while becoming TEFL certified by Costa Rica TEFL. In her spare time she loves yoga and surfing, anything on the beach and eating good food. She is an avid traveler who has a passion for learning new languages, and she is currently studying German.
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Marianne Salesse
French Professor
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Marianne grew up in France and studied Journalism, French and Spanish at the University Paul Valéry in Montpellier, where she received her BA and Master's degrees. She lived in Barcelona for 5 years before returning to France, working as a Reuters correspondent and writing for Midi Libre, L’Indépendant, Paris Match, Elle and other publications. Marianne also writes fiction and poetry, and received the Prix de la Nouvelle in Nîmes. In her free time she enjoys reading, photography, music, art and nature, and is always interested in new experiences and discoveries. |
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Support
Services
& Activities |
Xinia
Caravaca Cooking Teacher
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Xinia,
renowned for her wonderful dishes,
went to Culinary School at the Instituto
Nacional de Aprenizaje, as well
as completing her studies in at
the pharmaceutical field.
She worked for 7 years as a health
technician at the Clinic in Sámara,
before joining Intercultura in 2002,
as a homestay family and cooking
teacher. She enjoys writing, spending
time with students and making new
friends. Her patience, good humour
and delicious food make her a favourite
with students.
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Karol
Leal, Latin Dance Teacher
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Karol
studied in Nicoya, and since she was
very young her favourite activity
has been dance. She participated in
the National Dance Finals, winning
first place in ballet and 6th in folkloric
dance. She was a cheerleader, leader
of the majorettes and ribbons, and
gave reggae presentations in Limón
and salsa, merengue and hip hop presentations
in Sámara, after studying in
Cartagena, Colombia. She has also
won numerous local salsa competitions,
and was invited to participate in
a National Dance School presentation
and in the national folkloric celebrations
for Guanacaste’s annexation
to Costa Rica. She has been with Intercultura
since 2005, where she enjoys teaching
and meeting new people from different
cultures.
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Kattia Palma
Arts & Crafts Teacher
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Kattia is a native of Sámara, and has worked with Intercultura as a host mother for several years. She began teaching her popular arts and crafts classes at the school in 2008, and she uses a combination of local and imported materials. In her free time, Kattia enjoys going to the beach, playing football (soccer), reading, working with children and meeting new people. Kattia also volunteers with the non-profit CREAR youth education program.
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Lindsay LaVelle
CREAR Coordinator, Intercultura
Language Tutor and Yoga Professor
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Lindsay was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, then moved to New York City for university. She received her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from Eugene Lang College of The New School and her Master's in Teaching from Pace University. She was a New York City Teaching Fellow and worked with children and adolescents as a Special Education teacher in the Bronx, NY before moving to Costa Rica. At Intercultura, Lindsay completed her Spanish studies before joining our staff as our Yoga teacher and the Teen Spanish Chaperone and Children's Tutor. Lindsay also runs the non-profit CREAR-Intercultura After School Program for local children, teaching language, dance, arts and environmental education. She is fluent in English & Spanish, and in her free time enjoys travel, dance, singing and exploring Latin American culture.
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Andrea Keith
CREAR Coordinator, and Language Services
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Andrea is originally from Texas, where she attended Austin College and graduated with a dual degree in Psychology and Spanish. During her third year at Austin College she attended La Universidad Nacional in Heredia, Costa Rica and taught English. She returned to Costa Rica in January of 2008 to perform a research project on the relationship between tourism and the local culture of Costa Rica. After graduation, Andrea worked as a translator and case manager for a non-profit organization in Houston that provided care for adults with developmental disabilities. Andrea is currently the co-coordinator for the non-profit CREAR foundation which provides supplementary education for the children of Samara. In her free time, Andrea enjoys walking, bike riding, cooking, reading, and traveling.
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Ulises
Vega Maintenance
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Ulises
is a native of Nicoya, Guanacaste, and
has been with Intercultura since 2004.
He works in maintenance and construction,
and is always willing to assist students
and staff alike with whatever project
they are working on. He has worked with
the Red Cross, studied programming at
the INA, and has traveled throughout
Costa Rica and Nicaragua. He was a nationally
ranked cyclist, and remains a mountain-biking
enthusiast and competitor in many local
competitions. He is currently studying
French at Intercultura. |
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Aurelia
Castrillo Custodial
Services
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Aurelia is a native
of Sámara, Costa Rica. She
joined the school in 2005, where
she enjoys interacting with students
and staff alike. She likes the educational
atmosphere, and makes sure the school
always looks spotless. She also
enjoys spending time in the kitchen,
cooking her famous "gallo pinto"
and making fresh fruit drinks! She
is very happy with her life, and
her smile and good humour contribute
greatly to the school's friendly
environment.
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Lázaro
Rocha Security
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Lázaro
was born near León, Nicaragua,
where he completed his studies in
carpentery and specialized in the
restauration of antique furniture.
In 2000 he moved to Costa Rica, where
he worked in hardware and construction,
and later in maintenance. He began
working with Intercultura in 2005
in maintenance and security, bringing
his great woodworking talent to the
school. Lázaro is also unique
in his ability to capture his audience
through his story-telling, and his
folkloric guitar and singing talents. |
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Agustín
Jiménez Security
& Grounds
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Agustín
is Costa Rican, and has been with
Intercultura since 2005, in grounds
and security. After finishing school
he began working in agriculture and
farming, and later worked for the
Standard Fruit Company and hotel Isla
Chora. He also studied carpintery
at the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje.
He has been with Intercultura since
2005 in grounds and security, and
enjoys meeting new people at the school.
In his free time he gives horse-riding
tours in Sámara and to nearby
beaches such as Buena Vista and Carrillo. |
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Advisory Services |
Tyrone
Jackson
Systems
Management Consultant
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Tyrone joined Intercultura in 2002 at the Sámara Campus, first as an ESL professor and was as Administrative Coordinator, where he worked until 2008 managing the beach campus. His undergraduate studies were in Political Science, with an emphasis on Business Communications, at the University of Central Iowa. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and is studying German. In 2008, Tyrone retired from his full time position at Intercultura, and now works as our Systems Management Consultant.
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Barbara
Miller
Academic Consultant
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Barbara is originally from California, but has lived in Costa Rica since 1999, when she joined Intercultura as English Department Director. She has a double Bachelors degree in Psychology and Multicultural/Gender Studies, and two Master's, one in Educational Administration and the another in Teaching English as a Second Language. After working with Intercultura for nine years in Heredia, Barbara moved to Sámara, where she now serves as Intercultura's Academic Consultant and runs her CR TEFL Teacher Training program.
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Iván Núñez Bolaños
Accounting Auditor
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Iván Núñez Bolaños was born and lives in Alajuela. He studied International Commerce at the University of Costa Rica, and has two post-graduate qualifications, one in Public Accounting, the other in Business Administration, both from the Autonomous University of Monterrey. In his free time Iván enjoys going to the movies, the theatre and football games. His favourite team is "La Liga" in Alajuela!.
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